Different Mapsource Maps

[+shunra]

Due to the long time it takes to upload and download maps, I'd like to ask before I try:

 

Currently, my full GPSr map capacity is occupied by Metroguide USA maps. some of which of areas I'm unlikely to get to anytime soon.

 

However, I live near the Canadian border, and would love to upload some Metroguide Canada maps as well. also, in light of my trip to Europe, I'd like to upload some World Map segments of the areas I'm going to be in (for want of specific European maps).

 

While on my PC I can only view one set of maps at a time, I see not theoretical reason that various segments shouldn't coexist on the GPSr, as long as they don't overlap.

 

So my questions are:

 

(1) is this indeed possible, and if so,

 

(2) should I just start adding the Canada and world map segments, and if any part of MetroUSA that I'd like to keep gets bumped out, I'll just reload that part, until something I don't need at all gets removed? Or how else could I remove the current map system from the memory, to upload the parts I want?

 

Thanks!

[+gnbrotz]

I see not theoretical reason that various segments shouldn't coexist on the GPSr, as long as they don't overlap.

 

Overlapping areas (topo and metoguide, for example) doesn't cause any problems that I'm aware of, but is probably unnecessary and not the most efficient use of the memory you have available.

 

(1) is this indeed possible

 

Yes.

 

(2) should I just start adding the Canada and world map segments, and if any part of MetroUSA that I'd like to keep gets bumped out, I'll just reload that part, until something I don't need at all gets removed? Or how else could I remove the current map system from the memory, to upload the parts I want?

 

Not quite. Each time you upload ANY maps, whether 1mb or 100, the existing mapset on your gps is erased. You will need to make 1 file which includes everything you want and upload it all at once. If you happen to forget a tile, you'll need to add it to the original set and re-upload the whole thing again, rather than just trying to upload that one tile. If you do that, you'll get that one tile, but all the others will be gone.

[SergZak]

Any MapSource mapset groups will happily coexist in the GPS unit any one time. Select any maps you want to upload to the unit & provide the needed CDs for the maps you want to upload and MapSource will accomplish the rest. You should be able to select which mapsets will be displayed from within the GPS unit...note that if your mapsets from different MapSource products overlap (for instance you have the same area map segment from MetroGuide USA and US Topo loaded in the unit), MetroGuide maps take priority and will be the one visible unless you force a different mapset to be shown instead of MetroGuide. Also be sure that you select ALL of the mapsets you want to upload since the upload process is a one-shot process...you can't add/delete additional maps unless you overwrite what is already contained in the GPS unit.

 

Looks like Greg beat me by four minutes...

Edited April 25, 2004 by SergZak

[+gnbrotz]

...note that if your mapsets from different MapSource products overlap (for instance you have the same area map segment from MetroGuide USA and US Topo loaded in the unit), MetroGuide maps take priority and will be the one visible unless you force a different mapset to be shown instead of MetroGuide.

Thanks for mentioning that. I wasn't aware of that.

[+shunra]

Each time you upload ANY maps, whether 1mb or 100, the existing mapset on your gps is erased. You will need to make 1 file which includes everything you want and upload it all at once. If you happen to forget a tile, you'll need to add it to the original set and re-upload the whole thing again, rather than just trying to upload that one tile. If you do that, you'll get that one tile, but all the others will be gone.

Sergzak and gmbrotz, thanks!

 

What I don't quite understand in this case is: if every upload, no matter how small, erases the existing map configuration, and the upload process is a single step, then how do I create a single upload file in Mapsource, in light of the fact that I can only view a single map on my PC monitor?

 

Thanks!

[+gnbrotz]

Example:

 

1. View the topo maps, make your selections.

2. View MetroGuide, make your selections.

3. View Canada maps, make your selections.

4. View World maps, make your selections.

5. View POI data, make your selections.

 

Each step will add the new selections to the ones you have already made. You should see a list of the selected tiles on the left-hand side of your screen, with a running total at the bottom indicating the total size of the upload.

 

When you upload, all selected maps will go to your unit. You don't need to be actually viewing a particular map on you pc for it to upload properly.

 

*edited typo

Edited April 26, 2004 by gnbrotz

[+Rubberhead]

...note that if your mapsets from different MapSource products overlap (for instance you have the same area map segment from MetroGuide USA and US Topo loaded in the unit), MetroGuide maps take priority and will be the one visible unless you force a different mapset to be shown instead of MetroGuide.

Thanks for mentioning that. I wasn't aware of that.

One other note: If you are in an area with overlapping maps, your GPS actually draws both map sets. If you look close when the GPS is re-drawing the screen you can momentarily see the map set that gets over written. This is bad because it really slows down the re-draws of the screen.

 

To prevent this use the menu on the map set-up page to turn off all map set that you are not using.

 

Good Luck.

[+shunra]

Example:

 

1. View the topo maps, make your selections.

2. View MetroGuide, make your selections.

3. View Canada maps, make your selections.

4. View World maps, make your selections.

5. View POI data, make your selections.

 

Each step will add the new selections to the ones you have already made. You should see a list of the selected tiles on the left-hand side of your screen, with a running total at the bottom indicating the total size of the upload.

 

When you upload, all selected maps will go to your unit. You don't need to be actually viewing a particular map on you pc for it to upload properly.

 

*edited typo

Thanks - I now see that switching maps does not change the selection of map segments in the map segment panel.

 

If I now upload my new selection, will EVERYTHING in my GPSr be overwritten, or only my maps? I mean: waypoints I have programmed, will they stay? Or do I need to export them first into Mapsource, and then reimport them afterwards? Or would that erase the maps again?

[+Rubberhead]

When you download to a GPS, Mapsource gives you check boxes to allow you to download any combination of maps, waypoints, routes, and tracks.

 

However, only maps are totally overwritten. Downloaded waypoints, routes and tracks are added to those already in the GPS.